Welding information providing device

ABSTRACT

This application relates to a welding information providing device. The device can provide a high-quality image that can easily identify a welding surrounding environment in addition to a portion adjacent to welding light by synthesizing images obtained under various photographing conditions. The device can also improve welding quality by providing an efficient guiding to an operator with respect to a current welding operation state. The device can include a cartridge unit that is located on a main body and selectively shields welding light, at least one camera unit that faces outward and obtains a welding image frame of a welding operation, and a sensor unit that detects a degree of light in at least a welding operation area. The device can also include an image display and a processor that provides a welding image generated through the welding image frame to the image display unit.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefits of Korean Patent Application No.10-2019-0117616, filed on Sep. 24, 2019, in the Korean IntellectualProperty Office, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein in itsentirety by reference.

BACKGROUND 1. Field

One or more embodiments relate to a welding information providingdevice.

2. Description of Related Technology

Protective equipment is worn to protect operators from light, high heat,or the like produced during a welding process. Because an operatorwearing protective equipment may only check that welding is performedthrough the protective equipment, the operator has to remove theprotective equipment in order to check, with the naked eyes, variousinformation for welding, such as conditions set in a welding device.

When a skill level of an operator is not high, especially when theoperator wears an automatic welding helmet or a manual welding helmet,the operator may see only a portion adjacent to welding light and it isdifficult for the operator to recognize a particular welding situationsuch as a surrounding environment of welding. Accordingly, it may benecessary to provide a high-quality image to the operator so that theoperator checks even the welding surrounding environment and to providedetailed information with respect to welding state information to theoperator.

The above situations may occur not only in welding operations, but alsoto medical staff in skin operations and/or medical treatments usingcamera images, and in other operations using camera images.

The disclosure of this section is to provide background Informationrelating to the invention. Applicant does not admit that any informationcontained in this section constitutes prior art.

SUMMARY

One or more embodiments include a welding information providing devicefor improving the welding accuracy of an operator by showing a weldingsurrounding environment as well as a welding spot to the operator.

One or more embodiments include a device for guiding information withrespect to welding state information to an operator.

One or more embodiments provide accurate information to a user in anoperation using camera images.

However, the embodiments disclosed herein are merely examples, and thescope of the disclosure is not limited thereto.

Additional aspects will be set forth in part in the description whichfollows and, in part, will be apparent from the description, or may belearned by practice of the presented embodiments of the disclosure.

According to one or more embodiments, a welding information providingdevice includes; a cartridge unit located on a main body and configuredto selectively shield welding light; at least one camera unit located onthe main body to look outward and configured to obtain a welding imageframe of a welding operation; a sensor unit located outside the mainbody and including a module configured to detect a degree of light in atleast a welding operation area; an image display unit located betweenthe cartridge unit and a user inside the main body; and a processorconfigured to communicate with the cartridge unit, the at least onecamera unit, and the image display unit and provide a welding imagegenerated through the welding image frame to the image display unit.

The sensor unit may include a module configured to sense weldinginformation, wherein the processor controls the image display unit toprovide a guiding corresponding to the welding information based on thewelding information sensed by the sensor unit.

At least a part of the sensor unit may be located on a welding torch.

The welding information may include at least one of welding speedinformation, welding direction information, welding temperatureinformation, and distance information between a welding base materialand a welding torch.

The cartridge unit may include a shield area for shielding the weldinglight, and the image display unit may include an image display areawhere an image is displayed to the user, wherein the shield area and theimage display area overlap each other for the user's eye.

The image display unit may be configured to transmit light therethrough.

Other aspects, features, and advantages other than those described abovewill become apparent from the following detailed description, claims anddrawings in which embodiments of the disclosure are shown.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other aspects, features, and advantages of certainembodiments of the disclosure will be more apparent from the followingdescription taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a view for describing a structure of a welding systemaccording to an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the welding information providing deviceaccording to an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIGS. 3A, 3B and 3C are perspective views of the welding informationproviding device according to another embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram for describing elements of the weldinginformation providing device according to an embodiment of thedisclosure.

FIG. 5 is a view for describing an image display unit according to anembodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 6 is a view of the image display unit according to anotherembodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 7 is a view of the image display unit according to anotherembodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart of a method, performed by a processor, ofproviding welding information according to an embodiment of thedisclosure.

FIG. 9 is a view for describing an example where a camera obtains animage according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIGS. 10A and 108 are views for describing an example where a processorsynthesizes obtained images and improves the quality of a synthesizedimage according to an embodiment of the disclosure,

FIG. 11 is a view for describing an example where a plurality of camerasobtain images according to another embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 12 is a view for describing a method of synthesizing imagesobtained in FIG. 11.

FIG. 13 is a view for describing a method of providing an image to adisplay unit according to another embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 14 is a view for describing an example where welding information isdisplayed according to another embodiment of the disclosure.

FIGS. 15A and 15B are views for describing an example where the weldinginformation providing device guides a user interface (UI) for a weldingdirection of a torch through visual feedback.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments, examples of whichare illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein like referencenumerals refer to like elements throughout. In this regard, the presentembodiments may have different forms and should not be construed asbeing limited to the descriptions set forth herein. Accordingly, theembodiments are merely described below, by referring to the figures, toexplain aspects of the present description. As used herein, the term“and/or includes any and all combinations of one or more of theassociated listed items. Expressions such as at least one of,” whenpreceding a list of elements, modify the entire list of elements and donot modify the individual elements of the list.

Hereinafter, various embodiments of the disclosure will be describedwith reference to accompanying drawings. As the disclosure allows forvarious changes and numerous embodiments, particular embodiments will beillustrated in the drawings and described in detail in the writtendescription. However, this is not intended to limit the disclosure toparticular modes of practice, and it is to be appreciated that allchanges, equivalents, and substitutes that do not depart from the spiritand technical scope are encompassed in the disclosure. In thedescription of the drawings, like reference numerals in the drawingsdenote like elements.

In various embodiments of the disclosure, it is to be understood thatthe expressions such as “including” and “may include” are intended toindicate the existence of corresponding functions, actions, components,or the like disclosed in the disclosure, and are not intended to limitadditional one or more functions, actions, components, or the like. Inaddition, in various embodiments of the disclosure, it is to beunderstood that the terms such as “including” “having,” and “comprising”are intended to indicate the existence of features, numbers, steps,actions, components, parts, or combinations thereof disclosed in thespecification, and are not intended to preclude the possibility that oneor more other features, numbers, steps, actions, components, parts, orcombinations thereof may exist or may be added.

In various embodiments of the disclosure, it will be understood thatalthough the terms “first,” “second,” etc. may be used herein todescribe various components, these components should not be limited bythese terms. For example, the above terms do not limit the order and/orimportance of the components. These terms are only used to distinguishone component from another. For example, a first user device and asecond user device are both user devices and refer to different userdevices. For example, a first component may be referred to as a secondcomponent, and similarly, a second component may be referred to as afirst component, without departing from the scope of various embodimentsof the disclosure.

It will be understood that when a component is referred to as being“connected to” or “mounted on” another component, the component may bedirectly connected to the other component or may be connected to theother component with an intervening component therebetween. On the otherhand, it will be understood that when a component is referred to asbeing “directly connected to” or “directly mounted on” anothercomponent, intervening components may not be present therebetween.

In an embodiment of the disclosure, the terms such as “unit” or “part”are terms used to refer to a component configured to perform at leastone function or operation, and these components may be implemented inhardware or software, or a combination of hardware and software. Inaddition, except a case where each of a plurality of “units” or “parts”is required to be implemented in individual particular hardware, theplurality of “units” or “parts” may be integrated into at least onemodule or chip and implemented in at least one processor.

Terms such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries should beinterpreted as having meanings consistent with meanings in the contextof related technologies, and will not be interpreted as having ideal orexcessively formal meanings unless explicitly defined in variousembodiments of the disclosure,

Hereinafter, various embodiments of the disclosure will be described indetail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a view for describing a structure of a welding systemaccording to an embodiment of the disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 1, a welding system 10 of the disclosure may include awelding information providing device 100 and a welding torch 200. Thewelding information providing device 100 and the welding torch 200 maybe connected to each other through a communication network to transmitand receive data. The welding information providing device 100 and thewelding torch 200 may operate by being matched in a one-to-one manner,but are not limited thereto. The welding information providing device100 and the welding torch 200 may operate by being matched in a one-to-nmanner, in which n is a number equal to or greater than 2. In anexample, multiple welding torches (n welding torches) 200 may beconnected to one welding information providing device 100, or onewelding torch 200 may be connected to multiple welding informationproviding devices (n welding information providing devices) 100. Inaddition, the welding information providing device 100 and the weldingtorch 200 may communicate with a separate server to exchange data,

The welding information providing device 100 may provide informationabout a welding situation to an operator. In detail, the weldinginformation providing device 100 may obtain welding images by using atleast one camera unit mounted on the welding information providingdevice 100, may generate a composite image based on the obtained weldingimages, and may display the composite image to the operator. In thiscase, the welding information providing device 100 may generate asynthesized welding image by using high dynamic range (HDR) technology,and may display and provide a high-quality welding image to theoperator. In this case, the operator may visually check, through thehigh-quality welding image, information about a shape of a weld bead anda surrounding environment other than a portion adjacent to weldinglight.

The welding information providing device 100 according to an embodimentof the disclosure may obtain image frames through two or more cameraunits to synthesize and provide a high-quality welding image, and maydisplay an image generated through each image frame on at least onedisplay unit. In this case, the welding information providing device 100may synthesize images by repeatedly photographing using differentshutter speeds. International Organization for Standardization (ISO)sensitivities, and gain values of cameras. The welding informationproviding device 100 according to an embodiment of the disclosure mayimprove image quality through contrast enhancement on the obtainedsynthesized image.

Also, the welding information providing device 100 may provide afunction of displaying welding information in a preferred color (e.g.,green or blue) by using red, green, and blue (RGB). Furthermore, thewelding information providing device 100 of the disclosure may provide amagnifier power correction function (e.g., enlargement and reduction ofa screen). Also, the welding information providing device 100 of thedisclosure may provide a temperature-synthesized image by using aseparate thermal imaging camera. In this case, the welding informationproviding device 100 may display a welding temperature in color. Thewelding information providing device 100 of the disclosure may support afunction of providing sound (e.g., a guidance alarm) or a guidance voicefor all of the functions described above.

The welding torch 200 according to an embodiment of the disclosure maysense, by using at least one sensor, a welding situation including awelding temperature, a welding direction, a welding slope, a weldingspeed, and an interval between a base material and the welding torch 200in a real-time welding operation. The welding torch 200 may monitor astate of the welding torch 200 and may change a setting value of awelding torch operation according to the welding situation.

The welding information providing device 100 of the disclosure mayreceive information about an operation setting and an operation statefrom the welding torch 200 through a communication network connected tothe welding torch 200, and may provide operation information to theoperator based on the received welding information through visualfeedback.

For example, when the welding information providing device 100 receivessensing information about a welding temperature value, the weldinginformation providing device 100 may output a notification correspondingto the welding temperature value in any of various methods such aslight, a vibration, or a message. In this case, the notification may bevisual feedback provided on a display unit of the welding informationproviding device 100, or may be auditory feedback through sound (e.g., aguidance alarm) or a guidance voice.

The sensing information about the welding temperature value may includeinformation about whether a welding temperature exceeds a presettemperature range. In addition, the sensing information about thewelding temperature value may include a numerical value, a grade, alevel, or the like corresponding to a temperature value of a weldinghelmet.

When the welding information providing device 100 according to anembodiment of the disclosure determines that temperature values of thewelding torch 200 and the welding helmet exceed a preset temperaturerange, the welding information providing device 100 may guide theoperator to stop a welding operation. When a temperature value ofwelding exceeds a preset temperature range, image quality may bedeteriorated. Accordingly, the welding information providing device 100may guide the operator to adjust the temperature value of the weldingtorch 200.

When a current or voltage state of the welding torch 200 is sensed asabnormal, the welding information providing device 100 according to anembodiment of the disclosure may provide visual feedback for warning.

In this case, the visual feedback may involve providing an iconindicating danger on a portion of the image display unit of the weldinginformation providing device 100 that is displaying an operation site.As another example, the welding information providing device 100 mayprovide an operation suspension guiding through visual feedback byrepeatedly increasing and decreasing a chroma of a particular color(e.g., red) on the entire image display unit.

According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the welding informationproviding device 100 may sense welding information by using at least onesensor (e.g., a second sensor) included in the welding torch 200 as wellas a sensor (e.g., a first sensor) included in the welding informationproviding device 100. In this case, the welding information providingdevice 100 may sense, through at least one sensor, a welding situationincluding a light intensity, a welding temperature, a welding direction,a welding slope, a welding speed, and an interval between a basematerial and the welding torch 200 related to a real-time weldingoperation.

Likewise, the welding information providing device 100 may provide aguide corresponding to welding information based on the weldinginformation sensed by the sensor (e.g., the first sensor) included inthe welding information providing device 100.

According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the welding informationproviding device 100 may change a movement of the welding torch 200 bysensing a preset user movement or a preset user voice after theoperation suspension guiding is provided.

In another embodiment, when communication between the weldinginformation providing device 100 and the welding torch 200 is notsmooth, the welding information providing device 100 may obtaintemperature values of the welding torch 200 and a welding portionthrough an image sensor provided therein. For example, the weldinginformation providing device 100 may obtain temperature values of thewelding torch 200 and the welding helmet based on image data obtainedthrough a thermal imaging camera.

Although information received from the welding torch 200 is weldingtemperature information in the above embodiment, the welding informationproviding device 100 may provide various guidings for various weldinginformation.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the welding information providing device100 according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 2, the welding information providing device 100according to an embodiment of the disclosure may include a main body160, a cartridge unit 130 provided on the main body 160, at least onecamera unit 110 mounted on a side of a front portion of the main body160, at least one sensor unit 140 provided outside the main body 160, afixing portion 170 located on a rear surface of the main body 160 andfixing the welding information providing device 100 to the head of anoperator, an image display unit provided inside the main body 160, and aprocessor connected to the cartridge unit 130, the camera unit 110, thesensor unit 140, and the image display unit to enable communication. Themain body 160 that protects the operator's face may include a materialhaving a certain strength, for example, reinforced plastic, but thedisclosure is not limited thereto. The main body 160 may include any ofvarious materials as long as it is resistant to elements such as sparksthat may occur during welding.

The fixing portion 170 directly contacts the head of the operator, andat least a portion of a side surface of the fixing portion 170, forexample, an inner surface of the fixing portion 170 that directlycontacts the head of the operator, may include a soft material such as afiber material or a cushioning material.

FIGS. 3A through 3C illustrate the welding information providing device100 according to another embodiment of the disclosure.

Referring to FIGS. 3A through 3C, the main body 160 of the weldinginformation providing device 100 according to another embodiment of thedisclosure may include a first main body 161, a second main body 162,and a third main body 163, wherein the first main body 161, the secondmain body 162, and the third main body 163 are detachably coupled to oneanother. Ends of the first main body 161 through the third main body 163are coupled by a hinge portion 165. The first main body 161 through thethird main body 163 are coupled to one another to pivot about the hingeportion 165.

The first main body 161 may be located around the chin of a user, andmay extend to be thick enough to protect the chin and/or the neck of theuser. A position of the first main body 161 may be fixed.

The second main body 162 may he coupled to an upper end of the firstmain body 161 and may extend to the top of the user's head to have anopening corresponding to the user's face. A protective surface 164 maybe provided in the opening of the second main body 162, as shown in FIG.3B, and the protective surface 164 may include a light-transmittingreinforcement material. Accordingly, the user may observe the outsidethrough the protective surface 164 and the user's face may be protectedby the protective surface 164. The protective surface 164 may have acertain degree of light filtering function.

The third main body 163 may be provided to cover a front surface of thesecond main body 162, and may extend to the top of the user's head fromthe user's face. The cartridge unit 130, the sensor unit 140, the cameraunit 110, and the image display unit may be mounted on the third mainbody 163.

A first coupling portion 161 a is provided on the first main body 161, asecond coupling portion 162 a is provided on the second main body 162,and a third coupling portion 163 a is provided on the third main body163.

The first coupling portion 161 a and the second coupling portion 162 aare selectively coupled to each other, and the second coupling portion162 a and the third coupling portion 163 a are selectively coupled toeach other.

FIG. 3A illustrates a state where the first coupling portion 161 a andthe second coupling portion 162 a are coupled to each other and thesecond coupling portion 162 a and the third coupling portion 163 a arecoupled to each other. Accordingly, the user's face is protected by thethird main body 163, and the cartridge unit 130 is located to correspondto the user's eyes. In this case, the user performs a welding operation.

FIG. 3B illustrates a state where the second coupling portion 162 a andthe third coupling portion 163 a are decoupled and the first couplingportion 161 a and the second coupling portion 162 a are coupled to eachother. In this state, the user may observe an operation site duringoperation. In this case, because the protective surface 164 still facesthe user's face, the user's face may be protected from an externalenvironment. Air may be continuously supplied by a separate ventilationunit into an inner space inside the protective surface 164. This alsoapplies to the state of FIG. 3A. An operation such as inspection of thewelding operation during the welding operation may be performed in thisstate.

FIG. 3C illustrates a state where the first coupling portion 161 a andthe second coupling portion 162 a are decoupled and the second couplingportion 162 a and the third coupling portion 163 a are coupled to eachother. In this state, the user's face may be exposed, and the user maymore freely communicate with others or observe a surrounding environmentwithout taking off the main body 160.

According to FIGS. 3A through 3C, the user may adjust a degree ofopening of the main body 160 according to an operation situation,thereby further improving operation convenience.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram for describing elements of the weldingInformation providing device 100 according to an embodiment of thedisclosure.

The camera unit 110 may include at least one camera device, and mayinclude a camera for obtaining an image of a welding operation site.According to an embodiment of the disclosure, cameras of the camera unit110 may be symmetrically mounted on both side surfaces of the main body160. For example, a first camera and a second camera of the camera unit110 may be symmetrically mounted on areas of both sides of a frontportion of the welding information providing device 100. In embodiments,when an odd number of cameras of the camera unit 110 are provided, thecameras may be mounted on an upper end of a central portion of the mainbody 160.

The camera unit 110 may receive a control command from the processor150, and may photograph the welding operation site by changing settingssuch as a shutter speed, an ISO sensitivity, and a gain in response tothe control command. The camera unit 110 may include the first cameraand the second camera, and the first camera and the second camera mayphotograph the welding operation site through different photographingsettings.

The camera unit 110 according to an embodiment of the disclosure may beprovided on areas of both sides of a front portion of the main body 160.

The cartridge unit 130 may be located on the front portion of the mainbody 160, and the cartridge unit 130 may be arranged at a front side towhich the user's gaze is directed. In detail, the cartridge unit 130 maybe mounted in an opening formed in the front portion of the main body160, and may be located in a path through which welding light reachesthe user. The cartridge unit 130 may selectively shield welding lightgenerated during a welding operation from reaching the user who is anoperator as described below. In embodiments, the cartridge unit 130 maybe provided to increase a light-shielding degree through darkening basedon welding light information sensed by the sensor unit 140, for example,a photo sensor. In this case, according to an embodiment of thedisclosure, the cartridge unit 130 may include, for example, a liquidcrystal display (LCD) panel in which a degree of darkening may beadjusted according to an alignment direction of liquid crystals.However, the disclosure is not limited thereto, and the cartridge unit130 may be implemented as any of various panels such as a verticalalignment (VA) LCD, a twist nematic (TN) LCD, or an in-plane switching(IPS) LCD.

A degree of darkening of the cartridge unit 130 may be automaticallyadjusted by the processor 150 according to a brightness of weldinglight. When a degree of darkening is automatically adjusted according toa brightness of welding light as described above, the sensor unit 140may be used. When the sensor unit 140 senses light intensity of weldinglight to obtain welding light information, and transmits, as anelectrical signal, information about the light intensity of the weldinglight included in the welding light information to the processor 150,the processor 150 may control a degree of darkening based on the lightintensity of the welding light.

In embodiments, the cartridge unit 130 may change in real time alight-shielding degree of a panel to correspond to an intensity of lightgenerated at the welding operation site.

Although cameras of the camera unit 110 are provided at both sides ofthe cartridge unit 130 in FIGS. 2 through 3C, the disclosure is notlimited thereto, and the cartridge unit 130 may be provided on a frontportion of the camera unit 110 and a welding image in which light isshielded by the cartridge unit 130 may be obtained by the camera unit110. The camera unit 110 according to an embodiment of the disclosuremay include a thermal imaging camera. The welding information providingdevice 100 may obtain a temperature image by synthesizing a thermalimage obtained by the thermal imaging camera with an image of thewelding operation site.

According to an embodiment of the disclosure, a lighting unitelectrically connected to the processor 150 may be further provided. Thelighting unit is located outside the welding information providingdevice 100 and is configured to emit light to at least a weldingoperation area. The lighting unit may include a plurality oflight-emitting diode (LED) modules, and an output level of fight emittedthrough the lighting unit may be automatically adjusted according to theamount of external light under the control of the processor 150.According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the lighting unit mayoperate in conjunction with the camera unit 150 under the control of theprocessor 150.

In embodiments, a separate communication unit may be provided to receivewelding information from the welding torch 200 therethrough and transmita command for controlling the welding torch 200. According to anembodiment of the disclosure, the communication unit may transmit asynthesized image to an external device other than the welding torch200. In this case, the external device may include any of variousdevices including a communication module such as a smartphone or acomputer of an operator/third party.

The communication unit may perform communication with various externaldevices according to various communication methods. The communicationunit may include at least one of a Wi-Fi chip, a Bluetooth chip, awireless communication chip, and a near-field communication (NFC) chip.In particular, when the Wi-Fi chip or the Bluetooth chip is used, thecommunication unit may first transmit and receive various connectioninformation such as a service set identifier (SSID)) or a session key toestablish a communication connection by using the various connectioninformation, and then may transmit and receive various information. Thewireless communication chip refers to a chip that performs communicationaccording to various communication standards such as Institute ofElectrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), Zigbee, 3rd Generation(3G), 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP), or Long-Term Evolution(LTE). The NFC chip refers to a chip that operates in an NFC methodusing 13.56 MHz among various radio frequency identification (RFID)frequency bands such as 135 kHz, 13.56 MHz, 433 MHz, 860 to 960 MHz, or2.45 GHz.

The sensor unit 140 may include a plurality of sensor modules configuredto sense various information about a welding site and obtain weldinginformation. In this case, the welding information may include a weldingtemperature, a welding direction, a welding slope, a welding speed, andan interval between a base material and the welding torch 200 in areal-time welding operation. Moreover, the sensor unit 140 may includean optical sensor module configured to detect a degree of light at leastwithin the welding operation area.

According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the sensor unit 140 mayinclude an illuminance sensor, and in this case, the sensor unit 140 mayobtain information about a light intensity of welding light at thewelding site. The sensor unit 140 may further include various sensorssuch as a proximity sensor, a noise sensor, a video sensor, anultrasonic sensor, and an RF sensor in addition to the illuminancesensor, and may sense various changes related to a welding operationenvironment.

The processor 150 may generate a high-quality synthesized image bysynthesizing welding image frames received through the camera unit 110.The processor 150 may differently set photographing conditions forframes of the camera unit 110 and may obtain a synthesized image bysynthesizing frames obtained in a chronological order in parallel. Indetail, the processor 150 may control the camera unit 110 to photographthe welding operation site by changing a shutter speed, an ISOsensitivity, a gain, etc. of the camera unit 110.

In this case, the processor 150 may differently set a photographingcondition according to conditions such as welding light and ambientlight of the welding site, and a degree of movement of the welding torch200. In detail, the processor 150 may set the photographing condition toreduce the ISO sensitivity and the gain as the welding light and/or theambient light of the welding site increases. Also, the processor 150 mayset the photographing condition to increase the shutter speed when themovement and/or operation speed of the welding torch 200 is sensed asfast.

The processor 150 may synthesize images of a preset number of frames inparallel. According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the images inthe preset frames may be obtained under different photographingconditions.

When two or more camera units 110 are provided, the processor 150according to an embodiment of the disclosure may control the cameraunits 110 to photograph the welding operation site by differentlysetting photographing conditions of cameras. Even in the case, theprocessor 150 may also synthesize images of a preset number of frames inparallel.

The processor 150 may control an overall operation of the weldinginformation providing device 100 by using various programs stored in amemory. For example, the processor 150 may include a central processingunit (CPU), random-access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), and asystem bus. The ROM is an element in which a set of instructions forsystem booting are stored, and the CPU copies an operating system in thememory of the welding information providing device 100 to the RAMaccording to the instructions stored in the ROM, and boots the system byexecuting the operating system. When the booting is completed, the CPUmay copy various applications stored in the memory to the RAM, and mayperform various operations by executing the various applications.Although the processor 150 includes only one CPU in the above, thedisclosure is not limited thereto, and the processor 150 may include aplurality of CPUs (digital signal processors (DSPs) or system-on-chips(SoCs)).

According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the processor 150 may beimplemented as a DSP, a microprocessor, and/or a time controller (TCON).However, the processor 150 is not limited to thereto, and may includeone or more of a CPU, a micro-controller unit (MCU), a micro-processingunit (MPU), a controller, an application processor (AP), a communicationprocessor (CP), and an advanced RISC machine (ARM) processor, or may bedefined by corresponding terms. Also, the processor 150 may beimplemented as an SoC or a large scale integration (LSI) in which aprocessing algorithm is embedded, or may be implemented as afield-programmable gate array (FPGA).

According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the image display unit 120may be located in the main body 160, and the image display unit 120 ofthe present embodiment of the disclosure may display a synthesizedwelding image to the operator toward the operator's face. Also, theimage display unit 120 may display a user interface (U) for a currentstate such as a battery state of the welding information providingdevice 100 when a preset event occurs.

FIG, 5 is a view, illustrating the inside of the main body 160, fordescribing the image display unit 120 according to an embodiment of thedisclosure.

The cartridge unit 130 for selectively shielding welding light islocated in front of a users eye 1 located inside the main body 160,

The cartridge unit 130 may include a shield area 131 for shieldingwelding light, and may protect the user's eye 1 from the welding lightintroduced into the main body 160 through the shield area 131.

The image display unit 120 is located between the eye 1 and thecartridge unit 130.

According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the image display unit 120may include an image emission module 123 and a screen module 122.

The image emission module 123 is electrically connected to the processor150, receives welding image data transmitted from the processor 150, andemits a welding image to the screen module 122.

In an embodiment of the disclosure, a liquid crystal display device, anorganic electroluminescent (EL) device, an inorganic EL device, amicro-LED device, a digital light processing (DLP) device, or a liquidcrystal on silicon (LCOS) device may be used as the image emissionmodule 123.

When an operator wears the main body 160 thereon, an inner space betweena front portion of the main body 160 and the operator's face is verynarrow, and thus the image emission module 123 may be located in a spacebetween an inner surface of the front portion of the main body 160 andan upper end portion (near the forehead) of the operator's face.

In an embodiment of the disclosure, a light exit surface of the imageemission module 123 may face the screen module 122, and the imageemission module 123 may include an optical path curving portion and maycurve an optical path at least once so that an image is emitted to thescreen module 122, thereby efficiently using a narrow space between thefront portion of the main body 160 and the operator's face (e.g., nearthe forehead). The optical path curving portion may include a reflectorsuch as a reflective mirror. Alternatively, the optical path curvingportion may include an optical fiber or the like.

Initial image light is emitted from the image emission module 123 to thescreen module 122. The screen module 122 may be located adjacent to thecartridge unit 130, and may be located in a path of welding lightbetween the eye 1 and the cartridge unit 130.

The screen module 122 may project the incident initial image light togenerate a virtual image 3 outside the main body 160. The operator mayvisually check a welding operation through the virtual image 3. Awelding operation image included in the virtual image 3 is the same as awelding operation image included in the initial image. The virtual image3 may be located at a certain distance from the operator's eye 1, andthe certain distance may be selected in a range from about 10 cm toabout 1 m. A size of the virtual image 3 may be greater than that of theinitial image, and, for example, a magnification of the virtual image 3with respect to the initial image may range from about 1.1 to 20.

The screen module may have a concave shape, and a concave surface of thescreen module 122 may face the operator's eye 1. According to anembodiment of the disclosure, the screen module 122 may be aspherical.Because the screen module 122 is aspherical, distortion may be preventedfrom occurring when a magnification is increased.

An image display area 121 where an image is displayed to the user by thescreen module 122 overlaps the shield area 131 for the user's eye 1. Inembodiments, the user may see an external environment including awelding operation area through the shield area 131, and thus the shieldarea 131 corresponds to a field of view of the user. The image displayarea 121 may be an area where a welding image of the welding operationarea obtained by the camera unit 110 is projected, and the user may seethe welding image that is the virtual image 3 through the image displayarea 121. The virtual image 3 formed through the image display area 121may exist within the shield area 131 corresponding to the Meld of view,without exceeding a range of the shield area 131. The user mayselectively see the outside through the shield area 131 or see theoutside through the image display area 121 as described below, and theuser may secure a field of view through an image which is slightly lessthan a field of view through the shield area 131. This structure mayalso apply to other embodiments of the disclosure.

The screen module 122 may allow light to be transmitted therethrough.According to an embodiment of the disclosure, a member formed of a glassor plastic material may be used as the screen module 122. Accordingly,the user may see the outside through the screen module 122 and thecartridge unit 130 when the image emission module 123 is turned off.

FIG. 6 is a view of the image display unit 120 according to anotherembodiment of the disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 6, the image display unit 120 according to anotherembodiment of the disclosure may include the screen module 122 and theimage emission module 123, and the image emission module 123 is coupledto a side surface of the screen module 122. Accordingly, the imageemission module 123 may emit an image from the side surface of thescreen module 122 to the screen module 122, and thus a welding image maybe projected to the screen module 122.

FIG. 7 is a view of the image display unit 120 according to anotherembodiment of the disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 7, the image display unit 120 according to anotherembodiment of the disclosure may be provided as a glasses type, theimage emission module 123 may be located at a portion corresponding toeach leg, and an image may be formed through the screen module 122.Although the image emission modules 123 are located at both sides of theeye 1 in FIG. 6, the disclosure is not limited thereto and the imageemission module 123 may be located only at a side of the eye 1.

Although the image display unit 120 includes the screen module 122 andthe image emission module 123 in the above embodiment, the disclosure isnot limited thereto. For example, the image display unit 120 may includean eyepiece display located adjacent to the user's eye 1. An eyepiecepart may be provided adjacent to the eyepiece display, and the user maycheck a welding image formed on the eyepiece display in a state wherethe eyepiece part is in dose contact with the user's face. Each eyepiecepart may include a lens unit, and the lens unit may enlarge ahigh-quality synthesized image formed on the eyepiece display so that animage is easily formed on the user's eye. The eyepiece display may be atransparent display.

According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the image display unit 120may display a welding image synthesized based on an image obtained bythe camera unit 110 corresponding to each eye on the eyepiece displaycorresponding to each eye.

For example, when a first camera mounted in an area corresponding to theleft eye obtains an image under a first photographing condition, theimage display unit 120 may display a first synthesized image synthesizedbased on the first photographing condition on a first eyepiece displayincluded in the area corresponding to the left eye on a rear portion ofthe image display unit 120. Likewise, when a second camera mounted in anarea corresponding to the right eye obtains an image under a secondphotographing condition, the image display unit 120 may display a secondsynthesized image synthesized based on the second photographingcondition on a second eyepiece display included in the areacorresponding to the right eye on the rear portion of the image displayunit 120.

In this case, a flexible synthesized image with a three-dimensionaleffect may be provided, when compared to a case where the samesynthesized image is displayed to both eyes. However, this is merely anexample, and the eyepiece displays may display the same synthesizedimage even when the camera units 110 respectively corresponding to theeyepiece displays perform photographing under different conditions.

According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the processor 150 mayenable information to be selectively obtained through the cartridge unit130 or the camera unit 110.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart of a method, performed by the processor 150, ofproviding welding information according to an embodiment of thedisclosure.

The sensor unit 140 may sense a degree of light in a welding operationsite (S11). According to an embodiment, the sensor unit 140 may includean illuminance sensor module, and thus the degree of light maycorrespond to illuminance data in the welding operation area. Theprocessor 150 may sense a degree of light by using a sensor unitincluded in the welding torch 200.

When data about the degree of light is transmitted to the processor 150,the processor 150 calculates a light index in the welding operation areabased on the data (S12). In this case, the welding operation area may bean area including a portion where welding is performed by using thewelding torch 200. The light index may correspond to data converted tocompare the data about the degree of light described above with aparticular threshold value and/or output data of a lighting unit asdescribed below.

The processor 150 compares the light index with a preset threshold value(S13). When the light index is greater than the threshold value, theprocessor 150 outputs a first filtering index (S14), and displays awelding image generated based on welding image frames obtained throughthe camera unit 110 on the image display unit 120 (S15). The thresholdvalue may correspond to an illuminance value of light generated at awelding light spot as welding starts. The illuminance value of the lightgenerated at the welding light spot may vary depending on a type ofwelding and/or a state of welding, and the threshold value may be avalue corresponding to a type of welding and/or a state of weldinghaving a lowest illuminance value. However, the disclosure is notlimited to thereto, and the threshold value may be a plurality of valueseach corresponding to a type of welding and/or a state of welding.

When the light index is greater than the threshold value, it means thatwelding starts, and thus the processor 150 provides a welding image tothe image display unit 120 so that a user performs a welding operationby using the welding image obtained through the camera unit 110. To thisend, the processor 150 adjusts a filtering index for light shield by thecartridge unit 130 to the first filtering index. The first filteringindex corresponds to a filtering index for causing the cartridge unit130 to be darkened, and the processor 150 may shield a considerableamount of welding light by adjusting the cartridge unit 130 through thepreset first filtering index, thereby protecting an operator's eyes fromhigh-brightness welding light. According to an embodiment of thedisclosure, the first filtering index may be used to completely darkenthe cartridge unit 130 so that external light is blocked from beingintroduced into the main body 160. In addition, in embodiments, amechanical light-shielding door that is selectively opened/closed may beoptionally further provided on a front surface of the cartridge unit130, and the user may further block introduction of welding light intothe main body 160 by closing the light-shielding door during darkeningof the cartridge unit 130.

In a state where the cartridge unit 130 is darkened, the user may seethe welding image through the image display unit 120. Because thecartridge unit 130 that is the background of the image display unit 120is darkened, the user may more clearly see an image formed on the imagedisplay unit 120. In this case, the image formed on the image displayunit 120 may be formed in an area corresponding to a shield area of thecartridge unit 130. According to an embodiment of the disclosure, ashape of welding light transmitted through the cartridge unit 130 mayoverlap an image of welding light formed on the image display unit 120.Accordingly, a welding operation may be performed by using an image ofwelding light formed on the image display unit 120 without beingdisturbed by a shape of welding light finely introduced when thecartridge unit 130 is darkened by using the first filtering unit throughthe processor 150.

Because the user may check a welding situation by using an image throughthe camera unit 110 instead of the cartridge unit 130 while a weldingoperation is performed, the user may obtain visual information about notonly a welding light spot but also a surrounding area of the weldinglight spot, and thus the user may relatively accurately and easilyperform the welding operation when compared to a case where the weldingoperation is performed through the cartridge unit 130 that shows onlythe welding light spot.

When the light index is less than the threshold value, it is determinedthat a welding operation is not performed, and the processor 150 maycalculate a second filtering index (S16) and may output the secondfiltering index to the cartridge unit 130, so that the user obtainsvisual information by using the cartridge unit 130 (S17).

The second filtering unit corresponds to a darkening index calculated tocorrespond to the light index less than the threshold value, and thelight index and the second filtering unit may be pre-calculated so thata degree of light and a degree of darkening of the cartridge unit 130have a preset combination, and may be stored in a table.

The processor 150 may continuously adjust the second filtering index bycontinuously reflecting a comparison result between the light index andthe second filtering index. For example, when the light index is greaterthan the second filtering index, it means that external light isbrightened, and thus the processor 150 may increase the degree ofdarkening by adjusting the second filtering index. When the light indexis less than the second filtering index, the processor 150 may reducethe degree of darkening to ensure clearer visual recognition of anexternal environment. Therefore, the user may obtain more accuratevisual information about the external environment and may avoidinconvenience when welding is not performed.

Optionally, the processor 150 may turn off the camera unit 110 and/orthe image display unit 120, so that the user obtains visual informationonly through the cartridge unit 130. When welding is not performed, theuser may communicate with a nearby colleague, may move, or may performanother operation. In this case, because the user may obtain visualinformation only through the cartridge unit 130, not the camera unit110, the user may naturally obtain visual information without feelinguncomfortable and may more rapidly respond to nearby risk factors.

Accordingly, the welding information providing device according toembodiments of the disclosure may obtain optimal visual informationaccording to an operation situation and/or a surrounding situation.

Although the main body 160 has a structure surrounding a user's head toa certain extent in the above embodiments of the disclosure, thedisclosure is not limited thereto, and the main body 160 may have any ofvarious structures such as a structure covering only the user's face ora goggles or glasses-type structure the user may wear.

In addition, although the camera unit 110 includes two cameras in theabove embodiments of the disclosure, the disclosure is not limitedthereto, and the camera unit 110 may include only one camera.

FIG. 9 is a view for describing an example where a camera obtains animage according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

In FIG. 9, the camera unit 110 includes two cameras. Referring to FIG.9, a first camera and a second camera of the camera unit 110 mayphotograph a welding site by changing photographing conditions in achronological order. In this case, the photographing conditions mayinclude an ISO sensitivity, a gain, and/or a shutter speed.

A first frame a11 and a fifth frame a21 are obtained under a firstphotographing condition, a second frame a12 is obtained under a secondphotographing condition, and a third frame a14 is obtained under a thirdphotographing condition. In the present embodiment of the disclosure,the first camera and the second camera perform photographing under thesame photographing condition in the same frame.

For example, the first photographing condition may include a highershutter speed than that of the second photographing condition, a highsensitivity, and a high gain, and the third photographing condition mayinclude a lowest shutter speed and a low sensitivity. However, those aremerely examples, and the camera unit 110 may obtain images under variousphotographing conditions.

FIGS. 10A and 10B are views for describing an example where a processorsynthesizes images obtained as in FIG. 9 and improves the quality of asynthesized image according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

The processor 150 according to an embodiment of the disclosure maysynthesize images based on a preset number of frames. In this case, thenumber of frames for one synthesized image may be set by an operator ormay be set at the time of release.

The processor 150 of FIG. 10A may generate a welding image, which is asynthesized image, based on three frames. In detail, the processor 150may obtain a first intermediate synthesized image b1 by synthesizing thefirst frame all and the second frame a12. Also, the processor 150 mayobtain a second intermediate synthesized image b2 by synthesizing thesecond frame a12 and the third frame a13.

The processor 150 may obtain a first synthesized image c1 bysynthesizing the first intermediate synthesized image b1 and the secondintermediate synthesized image b2.

Similarly, the processor 150 may synthesize a third intermediatesynthesized image by synthesizing the third frame a13 and a fourthframe, and may obtain a second synthesized image c2 by synthesizing thesecond intermediate synthesized image b2 and the third intermediatesynthesized image.

As described above, according to an embodiment of the disclosure, ahigh-quality synthesized image may be obtained by synthesizing imagestaken through various photographing conditions in a high dynamicphotography (HDR) method. An operator may easily identify a surroundingportion other than a portion adjacent to a welding light spot by usingthe high-quality synthesized image. In embodiments, in the related art,because welding light is overwhelmingly brighter than the surroundingportion, an operator may not easily identify a shape of a weld bead anda welding surrounding environment. However, according to the weldingsystem 10 of the disclosure, even a beginner operator may easilyidentify the weld bead and the welding surrounding environment by usinga high-quality image.

The processor 150 may perform synthesis operations of the firstsynthesized image c1 and the second synthesized image c2 in parallel.According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the processor 150 mayobtain a plurality of synthesized images at the same speed as a speed atwhich frames are obtained through the camera unit 110, by performingparallel image synthesis with a difference of one frame.

FIG. 10B is a view illustrating an example where the processor 150performs a contrast enhancement on a synthesized image according to anembodiment of the disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 10B, the processor 150 may perform a contrastenhancement on an obtained synthesized image. For example, the processor150 may perform additional contrast enhancement on an obtained firstsynthesized image c11 to obtain a second synthesized image c12 and athird synthesized image c13.

As described above, through additional contrast enhancement on asynthesized image, a contrast ratio may be increased and a light stateof a welding helmet may be clearly identified.

FIG. 11 is a view for describing an example where a plurality of camerasobtain images according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 11, a first camera and a second camera may photographa welding situation under different photographing conditions in a frameof the same time.

For example, a first frame d11 of the first camera and a third frame e11of the second camera may be obtained under a first photographingcondition. A second frame d12 of the first camera and a first frame e12of the second camera may be obtained under a second photographingcondition, a third frame d13 of the first camera and a second frame e13of the second camera may be obtained under a third photographingcondition. In the present embodiment of the disclosure the first cameraand the second camera perform photographing under differentphotographing conditions in the same frame.

For example, the first photographing condition may include a highershutter speed than that of the second photographing condition, a highsensitivity, and a high gain, and the third photographing condition mayinclude a lowest shutter speed and a low sensitivity. However, those aremerely examples, and the camera unit 110 may obtain images under variousphotographing conditions.

FIG. 12 is a view for describing a method of synthesizing imagesobtained in FIG. 11.

Referring to FIG. 12, the processor 150 may obtain a first intermediatesynthesized image f1 by synthesizing the first frame d11 of the firstcamera and the first frame e11 of the second camera. Also, the processor150 may obtain a second intermediate synthesized image f2 bysynthesizing the second frame d12 of the first camera and the secondframe e13 of the second camera.

The processor 150 may generate a first synthesized image g1 bysynthesizing the first intermediate synthesized image f1 and the secondintermediate synthesized image f2. Similarly, the processor 150 mayobtain a second synthesized image g2 by synthesizing the secondintermediate synthesized image f2 and a third intermediate synthesizedimage f3. The processor 150 may obtain a third synthesized image in thesame manner.

As described above, according to embodiments of the disclosure, weldinglight in a welding image may be easily identified by synthesizing imagesobtained under various photographing conditions in an HDR method.

The processor 150 may perform synthesis operations of the firstsynthesized image g1 and the second synthesized image g2 in parallel.According to embodiments of the disclosure, the processor 150 may obtaina plurality of synthesized images at the same speed as a speed at whichframes are obtained through the camera unit 110, by performing imagesynthesis in parallel at the same time as the first camera and thesecond camera obtain the frames.

According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the processor 150 maydisplay a synthesized image only on one side of the image display unit120 including a binocular display. For example, a synthesized imageobtained by synthesizing images obtained through the first camera in amethod of FIG. 10A may be displayed on a display corresponding to thefirst camera from among eyepiece displays. A synthesized imagesynthesized in a method of FIG. 11 may be displayed on a displaycorresponding to the second camera from among the eyepiece displays.Accordingly, a three-dimensional effect may be provided by providing awelding image in which welding light of a welding helmet is corrected inan HDR method on only one display from among the eyepiece displays.

In FIGS. 9 through 12, a welding site image or a welding image frame isobtained by changing a photographing condition of the camera unit 110for each frame. However, according to another embodiment of thedisclosure, the processor 150 of the disclosure may change alight-shielding degree of the cartridge unit 130 based on sensinginformation about an intensity of welding light obtained through thesensor unit 140. In this case, when the camera unit 110 is locatedinside the cartridge unit 130, a welding image frame may be obtained bychanging a light-shielding degree of the cartridge unit 130 provided ona front portion of a camera.

In this case, the processor 150 may obtain the frames a11 to a13, a21,d11 to d13, and e11 to e13 having different contrast ratios as shown inFIGS. 9 to 12 by changing a light-shielding degree, while maintainingthe same photographing condition of the camera unit 110.

FIG. 13 is a view for describing a method of providing a welding imageto an image display unit according to another embodiment of thedisclosure.

Referring to FIG. 13, the camera unit 110 according to an embodiment mayinclude a first camera, a second camera, and a third camera. An imagedisplay unit may include a first eyepiece display 132-1 and a secondeyepiece display 132-2. in this case, the first camera may be a cameracorresponding to the first eyepiece display 132-1, the second camera maybe a camera corresponding to the second eyepiece display 132-2, and thethird camera may be a thermal imaging camera.

The first eyepiece display 132-1 and the second eyepiece display 132-2may display a high-quality synthesized image using an HDR method basedon images obtained by the first camera and the second camera.

According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the processor 150 mayobtain a thermal synthesized image obtained by additionally synthesizinga thermal image obtained by the third camera to the high-qualitysynthesized image. The first eyepiece display 132-1 and the secondeyepiece display 132-2 may each display the thermal synthesized image.In this case, the first eyepiece display 132-1 and the second eyepiecedisplay 1322 may provide visual information about a welding temperatureby using colors.

According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the first eyepiece display132-1 may display different images. For example, an image to which theHDR method is not applied may be displayed on the first eyepiece display132-1, and a synthesized image to which the HDR method is applied may bedisplayed on the second eyepiece display 132-2. Even in this case, theprocessor 150 may synthesize a thermal image for each of the image towhich the HDR method is not applied and the synthesized image to whichthe HDR technique is applied, and the first eyepiece display 132-1 andthe second eyepiece display 132-2 may control the image display unit 120to display the synthesized image on each of the first eyepiece display132-1 and the second eyepiece display 132-2.

FIG. 14 is a view for describing an example where welding information isdisplayed according to another embodiment of the disclosure.

The processor 150 according to an embodiment of the disclosure mayprovide feedback on a state of a welding current and/or voltage in awelding power cable based on welding information sensed from the weldingtorch 200. In detail, referring to FIG. 14, the processor 150 mayprovide a UI for a current state on a portion of an image displayed onthe image display unit 120. In this case, the UI may display informationin a preset color using RGB.

For example, when the current and/or voltage state of the welding torch200 is sensed as abnormal, the welding information providing device 100according to an embodiment of the disclosure may display a red UI 1010as visual feedback for warning, and in other oases, the weldinginformation providing device 100 may display a green UI 1020.

In addition to the current state, the processor 150 may provide feedbackon various welding information. For example, as shown in FIGS. 15A and15B, the welding information providing device 100 may guide a UI for awelding direction of the welding torch 200 through visual feedback.

Referring to FIG. 15A, the processor 150 may display information about awelding direction by using an arrow UI 1110. In detail, the processor150 may display and provide each linear welding operation by using alinear arrow to an operator, based on information sensed by anacceleration sensor included in the welding torch 200.

Alternatively, referring to FIG. 15B, the processor 150 may displayinformation about a welding direction by using a curved arrow UI 1120.In detail, the processor 150 may display and provide a welding directionby using a curved arrow to the operator through the image display unit120, based on information sensed by the acceleration sensor included inthe welding torch 200.

However, those are merely examples, and the processor 150 may display acorresponding UI in a portion of the image display unit 120 based onsensing information including a welding temperature, a welding slope, awelding speed, and an interval between a base material and the weldingtorch 200 in a real-time welding operation sensed by at least one sensor220 included in the welding torch 200.

For example, when sensing information about a welding temperature valueis received, the processor 150 may display a UI corresponding to thewelding temperature value in any of various methods, such as light, avibration, or a message. In this case, the UI may be visual feedbackdisplayed on the image display unit 120 or a portion of a display, ormay be auditory feedback through a voice,

The sensing information about the welding temperature value may includewhether a temperature of the base material exceeds a preset temperaturerange. Also, the sensing information about the welding temperature valuemay include a numerical value, a grade, a level, or the likecorresponding to a temperature value of a welding helmet.

When it is determined that the temperature value of the base materialexceeds the preset temperature range, the processor 150 according to anembodiment of the disclosure may guide an operator to stop an operation.When a temperature value of welding exceeds a preset temperature range,image quality may be deteriorated. Accordingly, the processor 150 mayguide the operator to adjust the temperature value of the welding basematerial.

As another example, when sensing information about a welding speed valueis received, the processor 150 may display a UI corresponding to thewelding speed value. In this case, the UI may be visual feedbackprovided on the image display unit 120 or a display, or may be auditoryfeedback through a voice.

When it is determined that a welding speed of the welding torch 200exceeds a normal range, the processor 150 may guide the operator to stopan operation through visual feedback. In this case, the visual feedbackmay involve providing an icon indicating danger on a portion of adisplay unit that is displaying an operation site.

As another example, the processor 150 may provide a UI so that theoperator easily identifies a shape corresponding to a weld bead. Indetail, when a shape of a weld bead is sensed, the processor 150 mayoverlap and display a UI for the shape of the weld bead on ahigh-quality synthesized image.

In this case, the shape of the weld bead may be obtained by sensing aresidual temperature of the base material after a welding operationthrough a thermal imaging camera included in the welding informationproviding device 100. This is merely an example, and the weldinginformation providing device 100 may obtain the shape of the weld beadby using various methods.

All of the embodiments described in the disclosure may be used incombination.

Although the welding information providing device 100 of the aboveembodiments of the disclosure is used in a welding operation, thedisclosure is not limited to thereto. In embodiments, the weldinginformation providing device 100 of the above embodiments may beimplemented as an information providing device, and the informationproviding device may be used as an information providing device formedical and/or skin treatment while using the above configuration. Inembodiments, when an operation using a camera image is performed, a usermay easily obtain information about a surrounding environment by using amedical and/or skin treatment information providing device and may moresafely and accurately perform the operation. Also, the informationproviding device of the disclosure may be used as an informationproviding device in various operations using camera images.

According to embodiments of the disclosure, a high-quality image capableof easily identifying a welding surrounding environment in addition to aportion adjacent to welding light may be provided by synthesizing imagesobtained under various photographing conditions.

Also, according to an embodiment of the disclosure described above,welding quality may be improved by providing an efficient guiding to anoperator with respect to a current welding operation state.

A user may obtain optimal visual information in response to anenvironment that may vary according to an operation condition.

Logical blocks, modules or units described in connection withembodiments disclosed herein can be implemented or performed by acomputing device having at least one processor, at least one memory andat least one communication interface. The elements of a method, process,or algorithm described in connection with embodiments disclosed hereincan be embodied directly in hardware, in a software module executed byat least one processor, or in a combination of the two.Computer-executable instructions for implementing a method, process, oralgorithm described in connection with embodiments disclosed herein canbe stored in a non-transitory computer readable storage medium.

The scope of the disclosure is not limited by these effects.

R should be understood that embodiments described herein should beconsidered in a descriptive sense only and not for purposes oflimitation. Descriptions of features or aspects within each embodimentshould typically be considered as available for other similar featuresor aspects in other embodiments. While one or more embodiments have beendescribed with reference to the figures, it will be understood by thoseof ordinary skill in the art that various changes in form and detailsmay be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of thedisclosure as defined by the following claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A welding information providing devicecomprising: a cartridge unit located on a main body and configured toselectively shield welding light; at least one camera unit located onthe main body to face outward and configured to obtain a welding imageframe of a welding operation; a sensor unit located outside the mainbody and comprising a module configured to detect a degree of light inat least a welding operation area; an image display unit located betweenthe cartridge unit and a user inside the main body; and a processorconfigured to communicate with the cartridge unit, the at least onecamera unit, and the image display unit to provide a welding imagegenerated through the welding image frame to the image display unit. 2.The welding information providing device of claim 1, wherein the sensorunit comprises a module configured to sense welding information, whereinthe processor is configured to control the image display unit to providea guide corresponding to the welding information based on the weldinginformation sensed by the sensor unit.
 3. The welding informationproviding device of claim 2, wherein at least a part of the sensor unitis located on a welding torch.
 4. The welding information providingdevice of claim 2, wherein the welding information comprises at leastone of welding speed information, welding direction information, weldingtemperature information, and distance information between a welding basematerial and a welding torch.
 5. The welding information providingdevice of claim 1, wherein the cartridge unit comprises a shield areafor shielding the welding light, and the image display unit comprises animage display area where an image is displayed to the user, and whereinthe shield area and the image display area overlap each other for theuser's eye.
 6. The welding information providing device of claim 1,wherein the image display unit is configured to transmit lighttherethrough. 7, The welding information providing device of claim 2,wherein the cartridge unit comprises a shield area for shielding thewelding light, and the image display unit comprises an image displayarea where an image is displayed to the user, and wherein the shieldarea and the image display area overlap each other for the user's eye.8. The welding information providing device of claim 2, wherein theimage display unit is configured to transmit light therethrough.
 9. Thewelding information providing device of claim 3, wherein the cartridgeunit comprises a shield area for shielding the welding light, and theimage display unit comprises an image display area where an image isdisplayed to the user, and wherein the shield area and the image displayarea overlap each other for the user's eye.
 10. The welding informationproviding device of claim 3, wherein the image display unit isconfigured to transmit light therethrough.
 11. The welding informationproviding device of claim 4, wherein the cartridge unit comprises ashield area for shielding the welding light, and the image display unitcomprises an image display area where an image is displayed to the user,and wherein the shield area and the image display area overlap eachother for the user's eye.
 12. The welding information providing deviceof claim 4, wherein the image display unit is configured to transmitlight therethrough.